WITH only 40 days until Christmas, toy retailers are preparing for a very merry Christmas trade with toys based on blockbuster films tipped to be the hottest selling gift items for children this year.

While hospitality, food and household goods categories will experience the highest levels of growth this Christmas, toys* are also set to enjoy a significant year on year increase of 2.8 percent, as revealed by peak retail industry body the Australian Retailers Association’s (ARA) official pre-Christmas retail sales figures released in conjunction with Roy Morgan Research.

According to eBay’s Trendwatcher data, retailers should prepare for a huge retro toy revival this year which has largely been influenced by major films such as Frozen, Transformers and the recently released Lego movie.

Topping the list of most sought-after toys on eBay this year are all things ‘Frozen’ related thanks to the Disney films beloved characters becoming household names since hitting Aussie cinemas last December. Frozen ice skating dolls and Frozen costumes are in hot demand, followed closely by cartoon toys and figurines based on Despicable Me, Lego, Transformers and Peppa Pig characters.

ARA Executive Director Russell Zimmerman said not only are consumers looking to online platforms such as eBay to purchase toys for their children this Christmas but bricks and mortar retailers are also beginning to see an upswing in sales.

“Starting from tomorrow until 24 December, shoppers are expected to spend a whopping $45 billion in retail stores, representing a 4.3 percent gain on sales during the same period in 2013 ($43 billion).

“eBay’s Trendwatcher data not only confirms the hottest children’s toys for 2014 but also illustrates how technology has come a long way and is now reflected in more toys than ever before. The popular ‘My Friend Cayla’ doll, for example, uses speech-to-text Google software synced via Bluetooth with a smartphone or tablet to answer questions regarding general knowledge or sports results. The toy even uses Google’s SafeSearch technology, no doubt providing a level of comfort to parents.

“With less than six weeks before Christmas, retailers are hopeful that shoppers will start their festive shopping a little earlier this year rather than leaving it until late December. However, we also know that the week before Christmas will remain the busiest time for pre-Christmas shopping, and therefore the most profitable time for retailers,” Mr Zimmerman said. 

*Toys fall under the category of ‘other’ in ARA/Roy Morgan figures
 
* Since 1903, the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) has been the peak industry body representing Australia’s $265 billion retail sector, which employs over 1.2 million people. The ARA ensures retail success by informing, protecting, advocating, educating and saving money for its 5,000 independent and national retail members throughout Australia.

Visit www.retail.org.au or call 1300 368 041

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VICTORIA’s peak tourism industry body has applauded the Victorian Coalition’s commitment to upgrading visitor facilities at Puffing Billy’s Belgrave Station if re-elected.

“By investing in attractions like Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre and Puffing Billy, Victoria is supporting a raft of experiential opportunities that draw visitors to, and around, our state,” said Victoria Tourism Industry Council (VTIC) Chief Executive Dianne Smith.

“Government support for upgrades and expansions of these iconic attractions is vital to supporting our industry to capitalise on the anticipated significant visitor growth and deliver excellent experiences for guests.”

Ms Smith’s comments follow the Victorian Coalition’s pledge today to invest $2.15 million to improve food and beverage facilities at Puffing Billy’s Belgrave Station if re-elected.

Upgrading the Puffing Billy facilities to improve the visitor experience is a priority in VTIC’s 2014 state election agenda to grow tourism in Victoria.

“We welcome this announcement as VTIC wants to see initiatives that will create jobs and support tourism growth. Investments in the Phillip Island Nature Parks, Grampians Peaks Trail, Sovereign Hill and the Shipwreck Coast remain outstanding opportunities for policy makers that we will continue to urge commitment to,” said Ms Smith.

The Victoria Tourism Industry Council (VTIC) is the peak body for Victoria’s tourism and events industry, providing one united industry voice.

Tourism and events are growth industries for Victoria and contribute $19.6 billion to the state economy each year and employ more than 200,000 people.

vtic.com.au

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VICTORIA's peak tourism industry body welcomes bipartisan support for further development of the Grampians Peaks Trail for the increased benefit this vital tourism attraction could bring to the Victorian economy.

“This development will position Victoria as a key nature-based tourism destination, which means significant job creation and economic benefit,” said Victoria Tourism Industry Council (VTIC) Chief Executive Dianne Smith.

Ms Smith’s comments follow today’s announcements from both major parties of funding for further development of the trail should they be elected to the next term of government.

The project is expected to create 170 full time jobs in construction and operation, generate more than $6 million annually in tourism spending and attract an additional 86,000 visitor nights annually to the region.

The development of this trail has long been supported by VTIC and is a priority in its 2014 state election agenda to grow tourism in Victoria.

“We welcome this announcement as VTIC wants to see initiatives that support tourism growth and create jobs. Investments in the Phillip Island Nature Parks, Sovereign Hill and the Shipwreck Coast remain outstanding opportunities for policy makers that we will continue to urge commitment to,” said Ms Smith.

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The Victoria Tourism Industry Council (VTIC) is the peak body for Victoria’s tourism and events industry, providing one united industry voice.

Tourism and events are growth industries for Victoria and contribute $19.6 billion to the state economy each year and employ more than 200,000 people.

vtic.com.au

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BRISBANE'S iconic heritage-listed picture palace, The Regent, re-opens its doors to the public today as it becomes the new home of the Brisbane Visitor Information and Booking Centre.

Lord Mayor Graham Quirk said the relocation of the visitor information centre a short distance from its free-standing structure in the Queen Street Mall to The Regent would breathe new life into the building.

“Dating back 85 years, The Regent is a much-loved historic icon of Brisbane, being characteristic of a classic 1920s picture palace which at the time marked the development of Queen Street as a cultural precinct,” Cr Quirk said.

“It even has some mysteries including a bullet hole in the ceiling which has been the source of many stories over the years.

“Our visitor information centre plays a vital role growing leisure tourism in Brisbane, providing around 1800 people per day with events and entertainment information, itinerary planning, brochures and maps, public transport advice, general tourist advice and tour and accommodation bookings on behalf of our operators.

“The move to The Regent has provided the centre with more space, the opportunity to install new technology, extended areas for travel bookings and improved tourist information facilities.”

The information centre will operate concurrently in both The Regent and its free-standing mall premises during the busy holiday season, until the mall structure is demolished in the quieter February/March 2015 period, increasing space for pedestrians and improving the layout of the mall for visitors.

The new information centre was designed and fitted out by The Regent building owners ISPT, one of Australia’s leading property fund managers, at no cost to the city.

ISPT Development Services General Manager Chris McCluskey said ISPT was delighted to be hosting the centre in The Regent.

“It is a prime opportunity to reactivate the building’s ornate Grand Foyer into a wonderful space for residents and visitors, with public areas and seating designed to fully engage with its significant heritage qualities.”

Cr Quirk said the information centre’s relocation to The Regent would be complemented by new resources designed to help raise the profile of and direct visitors to Brisbane’s tourism attractions and experiences.

“Brisbane Marketing has just launched its latest Brisbane Visitor Guide, which is the definitive go-to publication covering tourism attractions, events, food and drink, fashion and shopping arts and culture as well as sport and recreation,” he said.

“The new-and-improved visitor guide highlights our diverse city precincts and focuses on the wonderful attractions and experiences in our surrounding local government areas.

“The 50-page visitor guide will also be distributed to visitor information centres regionally and further afield and will be updated every six months.

“Additionally, Brisbane Marketing has produced a new Brisbane map, providing visitors with an easy-to-read guide to get around the city, including information about our varied precincts, must-see experiences and attractions and public transport.”

Cr Quirk said Brisbane Marketing was also improving its services to the tourism industry by launching a new online Industry Toolbox to keep operators up to date with its activities.

“The Industry Toolbox offers tourism operators a one-stop-shop of Brisbane Marketing’s campaigns, event calendars, images, itineraries and a host of useful destination content for operators to pass on to visitors,” he said.

“These initiatives follow the launch of the revamped VisitBrisbane website at visitbrisbane.com.au earlier this year.

“The comprehensive and interactive site for visitors and locals alike allows residents to sign up and register their own special events and helps travellers experience the region like a local.

“VisitBrisbane attracted more than 214,000 unique visitors and 806,000 page views last month and is fully adaptable to mobile phones, tablets and PCs.”

For more information on the Industry Toolbox, go to www.visitbrisbane.com.au/Information/Industry-Toolbox

WWW.BRISBANEMARKETING.COM.AU

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